1. Cuban Revolution Timeline:  1952 – Batista Coup  1953 – Castro launches first rebellion; fails.  1956 – Castro begins guerilla war against Batista.  1959 – Castro’s revolution succeeds; takes control of Cuba.  1960 – Cuba nationalizes all U.S. property on island.  1961 – U.S. severs diplomatic relations.

2. John F. Kennedy (JFK)*:  President from 1961 – 1963  Focused on foreign policy.  Would be responsible for increased involvement in Cuba & Vietnam.  Assassinated in November, 1963.

3. Bay of Pigs Invasion* (1961)  US felt threatened due Cuba’s communist ties.  April 1961, 1,400 CIA- trained Cuban exiles landed at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba.  Plan was to assassinate Castro & overthrow Cuban government.

4. Bay of Pigs: Outcome  Castro had learned of the planned invasion and his troops were waiting when the exiles landed.  Castro ’ s troops quickly destroyed the Cuban exiles.  No popular support for invasion.  Embarrassment to the US and President Kennedy, in particular. Drives Cuba farther towards Soviet Union!  Leads directly to the next crisis …

5. Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)*:  October 1962, a U2 spy plane flying over Cuba spotted Soviet missile pads.  This posed an immediate threat to due to Cuba ’ s proximity to the U.S.

6. Cuban Missile Crisis: Effective range of Cuban missiles

7. Cuban Missile Crisis  After weighing different options, U.S. starts a naval blockade (“quarantine”).  Soviet ships are turned away – if one is fired on, war will be declared.  Tension between the superpowers lasts 13 days.

8. Cuban Missile Crisis: Resolution Eventually, USSR backs down. Parties agree to: Kennedy (US): 1. Never invade Cuba 2. Dismantle US missiles in Turkey Khrushchev (USSR): 1. Dismantle missiles in Cuba 2. Allow UN inspection in Cuba

9. U.S. Missiles in Turkey

10. Cuban Missile Crisis: Resolution Eventually, USSR backs down. Parties agree to: Kennedy (US): 1. Never invade Cuba 2. Remove US missiles in Turkey Khrushchev (USSR): 1. Remove missiles in Cuba 2. Allow UN inspection in Cuba

11. Cuban Missile Crisis: Outcome  Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest the US has come to a nuclear attack, i.e. World War III.  Reinforced bad feelings between U.S. and Cuba.  … but actual led to a reduction in U.S./U.S.S.R. tensions.